Mining of coal has become a hot topic. Portions of people think that coal mining should continue to provide the source of energy the world needs, and another portion of people disagree with the statement. Though, there are some advantages and disadvantages of coal mining. Coal mining can create jobs for people, a shelter for animals, or even a place where farmers are able to grow their crops.
According to article one, it mentions, “Once the mining process is proceeded, the topsoil is replaced, the area is seeded and the land can then be used for croplands, wildlife habitats, recreation or even offices and stores.” Therefore, coal mining provides us lands that we can use for several purposes. Also, coal is an inexpensive source of energy. As Aforementioned in article three, “The other thing about coal is, of course, that it’s cheaper by far than other energy sources, largely because so many of its true costs are still being externalized”.Therefore, the cost of coal is being spread throughout places and coal is being used by a lot of people across the world.
In addition, when people use expensive energy source to make products, the item its self will be expensive as well. Some people can’t afford products that cost a lot of money. That can cause the economy to decrease. Meaning, when people use a cheap source of energy such as coal, the items wouldn’t be as expensive. This will benefit the consumers and the producers too.Furthermore, people have found a backup for sulfur dioxide which is a chemical that affect tress and water when it combines with moisture to produce acid rain.
For instance, in article one it says, “Coal companies look for low-sulfur coal to mine. They work hard to remove sulfur and other impurities from coal. Power plants are installing machines called scrubbers to remove most of the sulfur from smoke so it doesn’t get into the air.” That being said, it won’t affect human or animal’s health as much since scrubbers remove most of the sulfur from coal so that it doesn’t pollute the air.As opposed to, coal mining can be a huge disadvantage as well.
The process of mining coal is very hazardous. For example, according to article two it states, “Fires can cause the ground above to subside, their combustion gases are dangerous to life, and breaking out to the surface can initiate surface fires as well.” Therefore, it can really harm the human health and pollute the air when the fires reach to the surface. Also, coal mining can lead to global warming.
As stated in article two, “One of the biggest cons of Coal Energy is that it releases Carbon Dioxide which has been sequestered for millions of years in the dead bodies of plant and animals. This transfers the carbon from the earth to the environment leading to global warming effect”.That being said, coal mining can cause natural disasters such as global warming. Also, coal releases greenhouse gases such as methane which can affect temperatures or climate. In addition, since coal was invented the death rates in different nations grew because of the factors coal produce such as emissions.
Emissions can also pollute the air that people inhale which can cause diseases such as cancer and asthma. Therefore, coal can be a huge disadvantage for human health. Also, As a matter of fact, coal is un-renewable. Meaning it takes millions of years to form which can lead to people running out of the source in short notice.
As many viewers would vote, coal mining should continue to be used. Coal mining has benefited us in several things today and things since 100 years ago. For instance ago, native Americans used it to bake pottery made from clay.Also, there are substitutions to some of the hazardous effects that coal mining makes. Meaning it won’t affect humans or animals as much since the air wouldn’t be polluted.
Overall, the mining of coal should continue to provide the source of energy the world needs. That’s because it’s cheap, meaning when the items are inexpensive it will attract more costumers and grow the economy. Also, coal is abundant. There is plentiful of it even though it’s un-renewable. In addition, it can make jobs for people, homes for animals, and even an empty land where croplands can take place.
, coal is used for manufacturing goods, power steamships, railroad engines, create iron and steel, and also to create electricity.